One of the most important responsibilities of the school staff is to assign students to classes for the next year. The goal of the student placement policy is to design balanced classes, according to established criteria, which create the optimal learning environment for all Blackwell Elementary School students. Each classroom is a small community that must be representative of the diverse social, academic, and physical needs and abilities of all students.

Student Placement Criteria:

1.      Maintain an equal distribution of academically high, average, and low students.

2.      Maintain an equal distribution of students that have a positive influence on other students.

3.      Maintain a balance of dependent and independent workers.

4.      Maintain an equal balance of boys and girls.

5.      Accommodate special academic and social needs  

Student Placement Process Timeline:

Date	Action
Mid March	Elementary Student Return Verification forms available online
End of March	Elementary Student Return Verification forms due
April – mid-May	Parent Input form available on website
May – late August	Principal receives initial and updated enrollment projections from the district Teacher/Staff input gathered for placement Final placement completed by principal
Late August	Blackwell Back to Business Day Individual student placement available to parents Meet and Greet Day
September 5	Grades 1-5 First Day of School
September 5-7	Kindergarten Family Connection Meetings
September 8	Kindergarten First Day of School